A House Not Made With Hands 8/14/2013

"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven," 2 Corinthians 5:1-2

It was God who instructed Moses to build a Tabernacle (or tent) which was to be His dwelling place among men. The instructions were very exact and included specifics regarding measurements, materials, design and contents. Naturally, the Tabernacle would suffer wear and tear due to movement and the natural deterioration of materials. Ultimately it was superseded by a lavish brick and mortar building with inner walls of gold. It was quite glorious to see. Even this, however, was merely a shadow of the heavenly dwelling place of God (Hebrews 8:5; 9:24).

Beloved, as God once established a dwelling place among men that was made by human hands, He now makes his dwelling place within our bodies. The apostle Paul rhetorically asked, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" 1 Corinthians 6:19. Being made with hands, though, it will eventually go the way of the old Tabernacle. Otherwise put, all of our physical bodies will one day die. The good news for Christians, however, is that as God occupies a permanent dwelling in heaven, so too shall our essential selves receive a new and permanent dwelling place; it will be a new body NOT made through the efforts of human flesh, but given to each of us by the very hand of our eternal Father.

It is natural for human beings to deteriorate bodily and to fear death. To this Paul said, "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day" 2 Corinthians 4:16. He expressed both hope and joy when he said, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain," Philippians 1:21. Lastly, he revealed that it is a necessary part of the plan to obtain an eternity with the Father when he said, "Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable" 1 Corinthians 15:50.

Let us now enjoy the life we have been given and do the work that has been set before us. Let us also look forward to the life to come and the new bodies that will allow us to experience eternity.

Committed,

Lee

Choosing Your Attitude 7/16/2013

"Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, 'Let God be magnified.'”  Psa 70:4

Sometimes it seems that the whole world and every circumstance and situation conspire to get us down, beat us down and keep us down.  Be it health, finances, relationships, politics, the judicial system or any number of other things, it can all have a very depressing effect and lead to both helplessness and hopelessness.  But did you know that your state of mind is that which you choose?

Beloved, we are children of the Most High!  Our Father is the Creator of the universe!  There is nothing that is beyond Him and He has seen to it that we not only have all we need, but more than we deserve.  He has equipped us to deal with all the negatives in life.  Consider just a few things He has told us about navigating the course of our earthly existence:

• Nothing can separate us from His love, Romans 8:39
• We are more than conquerors through Him, Romans 8:37
• We can do all things through Christ, Philippians 4:13
• He will never leave nor forsake us, Hebrews 13:5
• He is with us always, Matthew 28:20
• There is a place prepared for us to be with Him throughout eternity, John 14:2
• We can and should have the mind of Christ, Philippians 2:5
• We are to let our light shine so that others can see, Matthew 5:16

It is sure that there are nights in which tears will fall, but just as assuredly, joy comes in the morning.  Let the people of God focus on all the good that He has made available to us.  Let us consider the things that have been done, are being done and are promised to be done by Him in our lives.  This most assuredly will guide us into not just being "glass half full" people, but being thankful for having the glass and whatever is in it.  God is good all the time.  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

Committed,

Lee

Pursuing Happiness 11/12/12

"He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord."  Prov 16:20

Sadness and sorrow are big and weighty subjects with many reasons and causes.  The same can be said for joy and happiness.  There is not a person alive who would not rather be happy than sad so let us consider ways to secure happiness.

The author of the proverb first suggest attending to the word of God.  Matthew states that it is not bread alone that sustains us but "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" Matt 4:4.  God being our manufacturer has supplied us with a manual for life.  In it contains all we need to know about Him, His expectations and provisions and directions regarding how to lead a happy and successful life.  If we would simply follow the instructions, we would learn to experience joy and happiness even in the most challenging times.  This is possible because the word also gives us instructions on how to endure difficulties and also supplies information about the promise or everlasting peace and presence with God for all who are His.

Having attended to His word, trust in God is a logical outcome.  An even casual survey of humanity's history reveals the presence and the activity of the Lord.  This leads to an examination of our own lives where the presence of God can also be readily seen.  He has done and continues to do all that He promised.  It is up to us to constantly seek nearness with Him.  In so doing, we will be blessed or as it is otherwise translated, happy.

Beloved, we were created to be a happy, joyous, content and praising people.  Our great God has put everything in place in order to make this possible.  Each of us must decide whether that is our desire.  If so, let us attend to His word and trust Him.  He takes care of everything else.

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Lee

Rejoicing in the Lord-1/3/2012

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" Phi 4:4

"Happy New Year" is on the lips of most everyone these days and will most likely continue to be for the next four to six weeks. Why is it that we exchange this greeting so readily as one year passes into the next? Perhaps it is about optimism. We measure many things by the year and we hopes that a new one will bring improvement in life, new opportunities, realization of goals and resolve to do and be better. Not only do we wish these things for ourselves but for everyone we know and meet. It is a time of great joy and celebration for many. We are all in this life together...right?

Paul, writing to the church at Philipi, encourages them and by extension us, to have this great joy. As Christians, we should be a people of joy because we know how blessed we are. It should come across in the way that we conduct ourselves and the ways we interact with fellow Christians and others. This joy is to be rooted in the Lord from whom those blessings flow. He is the source of all that is good, clean, holy and righteous and it is he that sustains us and saves our very souls. We are therefore encouraged to rejoice always in that we are blessed always. Otherwise put, God is good all the time and all the time, God is good!

Beloved, as we advance into every new moment, hour, day, week and month of this new year, let us remember who ordered it for us, who brought us to it and who, if it be in his divine will, will bring us through it. And in our remembering, let us rejoice in all of the goodness, grace and mercy he provides. Paul found it worth repeating, "...and again I say rejoice!"

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Lee